Individual identification device

ABSTRACT

An improved individual identifying device (e.g., a credit card) comprising a support base (e.g., an opaque vinyl plastic plate), an individual identifying image (e.g., individual photograph and/or signature) imposed photographically with photosensitive ink on the support base, and a transparent protective cover (e.g., vinyl plastic) laid down (e.g., by laminating) over the image, wherein the support base and the image imposed thereon and the transparent protective cover are unified into an indivisible combination whereby any attempt to alter the photographic image would deform the identification device.

ite tates atent 1 Changnon [54] INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION DEVICE [75]lnventor: Donald H. Changnon, Worth, 111.

[73] Assignee: U.S. Research 8:. Development Corp., Des Plaines, Ill.

[22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1970 [21] App1,No.: 61,150

[ 1 any 15, 1973 3,471,862 10/1969 Barnet ..283/7 3,566,521 3/1971Conner ..283/7 X 3,417,497 12/1968 Hannon ..283/7 [57] ABSTRACT Animproved individual identifying device (e.g., a credit card) comprisinga support base (e.g., an opaque vinyl plastic plate), an individualidentifying image (e.g., individual photograph and/or signature) imposedphotographically with photosensitive ink on the support base, and atransparent protective cover (e.g., vinyl plastic) laid down (e.g., bylaminating) over the image, wherein the support base and the imageimposed thereon and the transparent protective cover are unified into anindivisible combination whereby any attempt to alter the photographicimage would deform the identification device.

17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl ..40/2.2, 283/7 [51] Int. Cl..G09f 3/02 [58] Field of Search ..40/2.2; 283/7 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,048,679 8/1962 Cavanaugh et al. .283/7 3,152,90110/1964 Johnson ..40/2.2 3,217,643 11/1965 Crissy et al.........101/401.1 3,245,697 4/1966 Nugent ..283/7 3,453,598 7/1969Schweizer ..283/7 IRST NNHONAL. G1 BANK I INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATIONDEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The utilization of individualidentification cards is presently increasing at an enormous rate andthere is every indication that this trend will accelerate even furtherin the future. Examples of individual identification cards includedrivers licenses, voter registration cards, social security cards,identification cards utilized for commercial and government securitypurposes, and particularly the greatly expanding field of credit cardswhich are used by banks, oil companies, airlines, retail stores, etc. Ithas been said thatthe modern economy is moving towards a completelycredit-form economy or expressed another way is moving towards amoneyless society.

With the benefits that come from the increasing use of identificationcards, there are also problems. One of the most serious problems is thefraudulent use of identification cards, particulary the fraudulent useof credit cards although the problem is not limited solely to creditcards. In the case of credit cards, there is an increasing frequency ofutilization of these cards by wrongful owners as a result of these cardsbeing stolen from or lost by the rightful owner. These problems arisefrom the fact that many credit cards do not have any individualidentifying characteristics shown on the card, such as a photograph orpicture of the individual or his signature. In these cases, a wrongfuluser of the card cannot be identified readily by the one who isextending the credit to the credit card holder. To overcome this problemconsiderable effort is being expended to develop ways to overcome thistype of fraudulent use of credit cards. Some of the techniques beingdeveloped include elaborate devices that relate the hand measurements ofan individual to certain identifying, coded information encoded on thecredit card.

Another way of trying to solve the problem of identifying the creditcard holder is to insert a paper card containing the picture and/orsignature of the credit card holder into a plastic holder or enclosure.Such cards have been prepared by pasting a picture of the credit cardholder on a paper identification card and inserting this into theplastic holder and sealing it. More recently an identification card hasbeen introduced which is constructed by taking a color photograph of a.card containing a picture and signature of the credit card holder,inserting the developed film between two sheets of plastic and thensealing the plastic around the film. However, the basic problem to datewith this approach to credit cards is that fraudulent users can cut orbreak open the sealedcover and remove the basic identification card andeasily forge a modified identification card. This can be accomplished,for example, by pasting a picture of the wrongful holder of the cardover the original picture, taking a new color photograph of the modifiedcard, developing the photo and then sealing the modified card back intothe' plastic and using the card fraudulently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvedindividual identifying device which is practically fraud-proof.Basically the devices of the present invention comprise a support base,an individual identifying image imposed photographically on the supportbase and a protective transparent cover laid down over the image whereinthe support baseand the image imposed thereon and the transparentprotective cover are unified into an indivisible combination whereby anyattempt to alter the photographic image would result in permanentdeformation of the identification device.

It is an object of the present invention to prevent or reduce thefraudulent use of identification cards.

It is a further object of the present invention to protect the issuer ofidentification cards from fraudulent use of such cards by wrongdoers.

It is a further object of the present invention to protect the rightfulholder of identification cards from the wrongful use of such cards iflost or stolen.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I of the drawings shows the stepof taking a picture of the prospective rightful owner of anidentification card.

FIG. 2 shows the step of developing a negative of the picture.

FIG. 3 shows the step of coating the support base with a solution ofphotosensitive ink.

FIG. 4 shows the step of producing a fixed image of the individualspicture on the support base.

FIG. 5 shows the step of removing unreacted solution from the supportbase on which the picture image is imposed.

FIG. 6 shows the support base with the card holders picture imposedthereon.

FIG. 7 shows the step of covering the support base and the image thereonwith a transparent protective cover.

FIG. 8 shows in side view the unified combination of the support base,the image thereon and the transparent protective covering laid down overthe base.

FIG. 9 shows an additional optional step in which other informationidentifying markings are printed on the support base prior to layingdown the transparent protective coating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates the step ofphotographing individual identifying information for an individual whois to receive the identification card. In FIG. 1 the identifyinginformation is to be a photograph or picture of the individual. However,if desired a number associated with the individual or his signature orother identifying information (such as weight, height, color of hair andeyes) could also be photographed either all together or in separatephotographs. In fact, an identification form which contains all of thisinformation could be photographed. In FIG. I individual 10 isphotographed with photographic means 11, such as a camera. It is to beunderstood that the individual normally would be a human being, but thatthe individual could also be an animal, corporation or company,association, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates the step of producing a photographic negative of theidentification information. In this figure, the negative 20 is developedin a conventional developing solution 21 contained in container 22. Ifdesired, the negative can be screened which is also a conventional stepin photography. The film used can be of any conventional type. The sizeis not critical although the use of 35 millimeter film is advantageousin the case of many identification cards since this size correspondsclosely to the size of the normal identification card.

FIG. 3 shows the step of coating a support base with a photo-sensitiveink solution which contains an ink that hardens upon exposure to light.The support base 30 shown in FIG. 3 can be made of a variety of materialsuch as plastic, glass, wood, metal, paper, etc. Preferably, however, itis made of plastic for reasons that will be discussed shortly. In thecase of a plastic support base, any solid plastic base may be utilized.Preferably a thermoplastic plastic is utilized such as vinyl plastics,e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, copolymers thereof, etc.The plastic Mylar is a preferred support base. Preferably the plasticbase is opaque being made so by the addition of fillers or coloringagents to the plastic when it is manufactured. Preferably, the supportbase is fiat (e.g., a plate) and is relatively stiff with regard tobending. Also, preferably the plastic is such that it will not readilycrack or break on bending. The thickness of the support base and itslength and width depend primarily upon the nature of the identificationcard dimensions which will be required. Normally the width and lengthare selected in accordance with this invention to correspond generallyto the dimensions desired for the final form of identification card. Thethickness of the support base is selected such that the thickness of thesupport base plus the thickness of the protective cover or covers willproduce a final identification card having a thickness in the range ofabout to 40 mils, preferably about 30 mils which is a specification, forexample, of a number of identification cards, particularly credit cards.The photo-sensitive ink solution that is utilized in this invention isone which is conventional and commercially utilized in thephotolithographic process to produce proofs of the photograph prior topreparing the final printing plate for photo-lithography. Thephoto-sensitive ink solution is normally a water soluble solution ofprinting ink pigments (e.g., a colloido solution containing sasseinate)which when exposed to high energy light results in the hardening of inkand the production of a positive fixed image related to the image on thenegative. The ink pigments may be selected to be of any color. Althoughblack maybe normally used, other colors such as red, blue, green, etc.may be used. The photo-sensitive ink selected is normally one which willlay down a fixed image visible to the eye, but in certain cases an inkinvisible to the human eye may be utilized to impose on the support basemarkings which may be read electronically or only under the proper typeof special light to assist in the identification of the identificationcard holder. An example of a commercially available photosensitive inksolution that may be utilized is Kwick- Proof. In FIG. 3 thephoto-sensitive ink solution 31 is poured from container 32 over thesupport base 30, but it should be understood that the solution can beapplied by any conventional means such as brushing, dipping, etc. Only athin coating of the photo-sensitive ink solution is required, namely theamount which is conventionally utilized in photo-lithography forproducing a proof of the picture to be printed.

FIG. 4 shows the step of imposing a fixed image from the photographicnegative 20 on the support base 30 by passing energy from energy source40, such as a highenergy light source, through the negative 20 to thephoto-sensitive ink solution 31 laid down on support base 30. Preferablya protective means 41 is interposed between energy source 40 and thenegative 20 to protect it from excessive heat. Protective means 41 forexample can be a plate of glass and preferably one which absorbs some ofthe heat without appreciably diminishing the amount of light transmittedthrough the negative. The relative spacing of energy source 40, negative20 and the coated support base 30 are selected to provide the sizeofimage that is desired to impose on support base 30, as is conventionalin photography and photo-lithography. If a 35 millimeter negative isused then it can be possible to have support base 30 with its coating 31in physical contact with negative 20 which in turn is in physicalcontact with protective means 41. The time of exposure is selected toproduce a viewable fixed image on support base 30. The time will dependprimarily on the intensity of the energy source and will normally be inthe range of 10 seconds to 5 minutes. The exposure step shown in FIG. 4results in the burning" or embedding or hardening of the ink on thesupport base 30 to produce an image corresponding to the image on thenegative 20.

When the step shown in FIG. 4 is completed, support base 30 is ready forthe step illustrated in FIG. 5, which step involves the removal ofunreacted or unhardened solution. In FIG. 5 support base 30 is placed incontainer 50 which contains water or other wash solution 51 and brush 52is utilized to brush off the unreacted solution leaving the fixed image53 imposed on support means 30. It is to be understood that any methodof cleaning off the unreacted or unhardened photosensitive ink solutionmay be utilized, including simply washing the solution off by placingthe support base 30 under a running faucet of water. After this step iscompleted, which is conventional in photo-lithography, if desired,support base 30 and image 53 imposed thereon may be placed in a solutionof brightener as is done in photo-lithography to brighten the picture.This brightening step improves the brightness and clarity of the imageand therefor is a desirable step but not an essential step of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows in detail the resultant product 60 of the previous steps.Product 60 comprises the support base 30 and the photograph or pictureor facial image of individual 10 as image 53 on the support base 30.Product 60 also shows additional identifying information 61 on it, whichmay be likewise produced by the photographic technique described aboveor may be laid down by printing which will shortly be described ingreater detail. Identifying information 61 represents informationidentifying the type of identification card that is involved. FIG. 6also shows additional individual identifying, information 62 whichrepresents an image of the signature of individual 10 and which may beimposed on support base 30 either simultaneously or separately withrespect to image 53.

FIG. 7 illustrates the step of providing a transparent protective coverover product 60. In the process shown in FIG. 7 a transparent sheet ofplastic, namely cover 72, is laid over product 60 and press plates and71 are then pressed down and up respectively to bond through pressureand heat product 60 to plastic cover 72 so as to produce a unifiedidentification device. The plastic cover 72 may be a sheet of vinylplastic of the same type referred to with regard to support base 30.

Normally it should have characteristics of transparency, toughness,hardness, and resistence to scratches, moisture, and wear. Thedimensions are selected such that the width and length are ofapproximately the size desired for the final identification card,although of course a larger or smaller size may be selected but thiswould tend to complicate the manufacturing process, such as requiringthe additional step of trimming. An alternative means of laying down theprotective cover would be to coat the product 60 with a lacquer or otherplastic solution which would be subsequently hardened; such as by dryingor by exposing the coated product to heat, light, etc. The thickness ofprotective cover 72 is normally in the range of about 1 to 5 mils, butagain this is not particularly critical and will depend upon the finalthickness desired for the identification card and will also depend onwhether a second protective cover is applied to the other side of theidentification card (which will normally be determined in turn bywhether additional identifying information is imposed on the other sideof the identification card). Again, as indicated previously, a thicknessof about 20 to 40 mils, preferably about 30 mils for many applicationswould normally be selected. In the laminating step of FIG. 7, the timerequired for lamination will depend on the degrees of temperature andpressures used, that is, the higher the temperature and the higher thepressure, the shorter will be the time that is required. Pressure in therange of to 10,000 (e.g., 1,000 to 5,000) pounds per square inch may beutilized although higher or lower pressures may also be used.Temperatures in the range of 100 to 500 Farenheit (e.g., 150 to 300F)may be utilized although again higher or lower temperatures may beutilized. Basically, the time, temperature and pressure variables areselected to produce an indivisible bond in a reasonable period of time.Also a cooling cycle may be utilized to further aid in the bonding.Times in the range of 30 seconds to 30 minutes may be utilized althoughnormally a range of 5 to minutes would be used.

FIG. 8 shows the final identification device 0 wherein support means 30and images 53, 611 and 62, imposed thereon and protective cover 72 arefused or bonded together in an indivisible combination whereby anyattempt to alter the identifying images would result in the deformationof the identification card. The product of the present invention can bemade in the nature of conventional credit cards of the type which mostpeople are familiar with which are tough; non-brittle; hard; scratch,moisture and wear-resistant, and which are practically impossible toalter without deforming the credit card and which can only be destroyedby continuous vigorous bending over a prolonged period of time. Ofcourse, the significant difference between these types of credit cardsor identification cards and those of the present invention is that thedevices of the present invention include an individual identifyingcharacteristic or information such as an individuals photograph (orpicture), or signature, or both.

Identification cards of the present invention can also be furtherprocessed like the conventional unitary credit cards (that is, thosethat contain identifying information, but not the photograph or pictureof theindividual and/or his signature) to provide additional identifyinginformation imposed by various conventional techniques, for example,additional identifying information such as the persons name oridentification number may be embossed on the card in raised print. Also,machine readable impressions such as are conventionally provided oncredit cards for processing the credit slips may be embossed in raisedprint. Also, techniques of punching holes, round or rectangular, in thecard may be utilized for similar bookkeeping purposes. It is of interestto note that in the case of the identification devices of the presentinvention, the punching of such holes creates no problems of the typethat could be anticipated in the case of identification cards wherein apaper identification card is inserted between two plastic covers. In thecase of these plastic covered paper cards, punching would expose thepaper to water, moisture, dirt and the like and their useful life wouldbe greatly reduced.

FIG. 9 shows the step of printing additional identifying information onsupport base 30 prior to the step in which the protective cover 72 islaid down on the identification device. In FIG. 9, the support base 30has imprinted on it additional identifying means by printer which isprovided with a printing plate 91 which prints on such information whensupport means 30 is passed by printer 90 on support 91. It is to beunderstood that the printing of additional identifying information onsupport base 30 can be done on one side or the other side only, or onthe two sides (or surfaces) of support base 30. If identifyinginformation is imposed on both sides of support base 30, then normally aprotective cover such as protective cover 72 is laid down on both sidesof support base 30 on which the printing or images are imposed.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The following is a preferredembodiment of the invention. First a photograph of an individual istaken with a conventional camera. A negative on 35 millimeter film isthen prepared by conventional photographic techniques and preferably ascreened negative is produced. Independently, a plate of vinyl plasticabout 3% by 2 inches in height and width respectively and 28 mils thickand which is white in color is run through a printing press to printthereon the identification of the type of identification card such asthe The First Trust and Savings Bank and Credit Card. This informationis imprinted in the upper right hand part of the card. The card is thencoated with Quik-Proof which is utilized conventionally and commerciallyin the manufacture of photo-lithography. A conventional apparatus formaking such photo-lithography proofs is then utilized to impose theimage of the individuals picture on the printed credit card. Exposure ofthe negative is continued until a fixed, hardened image of theindividuals picture is imposed on the credit card. An ultra violet lightsource is used and the coated credit card, the negative and a protectiveglass of about one-half inch in thickness are pressed together under avacuum to carry out the image producing step. Exposure of about 2minutes is required. The image of the picture is imposed on the upperleft of the credit card. The credit card is then washed clean ofunreacted solution with water and wiped with a sponge. It is then dippedin a conventionally photo-lithographic brightening solution and rinsedagain with water. Then a 2 mil sheet of transparent, tough, hard; andscratch, moisture and wear-resistant vinyl plastic (e.g., Mylar) is laidover the top of the credit card on the side on which the identifyinginformation is imposed and the combination is placed in a heated press(or laminator). The temperature of the press is about 220 Farenheit andthe pressure is about 2,000 pounds per square inch and the time for thepressing operation is about minutes. The card is then removed from thepress and the resultant product is one in which the plastic supportbase, the images imposed on the base and the protective vinyl cover havebeen unified together into an indivisible combination whereby it isimpossible to alter the image without deforming or in effect completelydestroying the credit card. The use of a plastic support base and aplastic protective cover is particularly advantageous in that acompletely indivisible combination can be produced. (If non-plasticmaterials are employed, such a bond is practically impossible toproduce.) Additionally, the card can then be placed into a press whereinthe name of the individual and the identification number of theindividual are embossed in raised print on the card together withcertain machine-readable symbols which are useful in the processing ofcredit slips issued to the holder of the card. In the case of thepresent invention, the card is clearly one which can be safely used bythe true owner, but not a fraudent owner since the true owner can bereadily identified through his picture as the rightful owner of thecard.

It is to be understood that the particular sequence of photography stepswhere there are several pieces of information separately photographed,and also the sequence of photography and printing steps (where these areemployed), are not critical and that the steps can be arranged in anyparticular order or carried out simultaneously.

While the present invention has been described in detailed and specificterms, it is to be understood that other variations of the invention arepossible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forexample, a reversed image could be imposed on the protective overlaysheet, then the overlay sheet could be placed over a support base withthe image side of the sheet facing the support base, and then thesupport base and the overlay sheet and the image thereof fused into aunified indivisible product to produce, for example, an individualidentification card.

What is claimed is:

1. An individual identifying device comprising a support base,

an individual identifying image imposed photographically withphoto-sensitive ink on said support base, said photo-sensitive ink beingof the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography and whichdoes not require normal photographic development of the image, and

a transparent protective cover laid down over said image,

said support base and said image imposed thereon and said transparentprotective cover being unified in the absence of adhesive and throughoutthe extent of their contacting surfaces into an indivisible combination,whereby any attempt to alter said photographic image would deform theidentification device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said support base is plastic.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein a facial image of an individualis imposed on said support base as an individual identifying image.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the signature of an individualis imposed on said support base as an individual identifying image.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein information identifying thetype of identification device is also imposed on said support base.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein said ink is of a color, otherthan black.

7. An individual identification card comprising a plastic plate,

a facial image of an individual imposed photographically withphoto-sensitive ink on said plastic plate, said photo-sensitive inkbeing of the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography andcontaining printing ink pigments,

a transparent protective layer of plastic laid down over said image,

said plastic plate and said facial image imposed thereon and saidtransparent protective layer of plastic being heat-fused throughout theextent of their contacting surfaces into an indivisible combination,whereby any attempt to alter said facial image would deform theidentification card.

8. An identification card according to claim 7 wherein the signature ofthe individual is also imposed photographically with photo-sensitive inkon said plastic plate.

9. An individual identification card according to claim 7 wherein saidink is ofa color, other than black.

10. An individual identification card comprising a plastic plate,

a facial image of an individual imposed photographically withphoto-sensitive ink on said plastic plate, said photo-sensitive inkbeing of the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography andcontaining printing ink pigments,

information imposed on said plastic plate identifying the type ofidentification card,

a transparent protective layer of plastic laid down over said facialimage and identifying information,

said plastic plate and the facial image and identifying informationimposed thereon and said transparent protective layer of plastic forminga unified heat fused combination throughout the extent of theircontacting surfaces, whereby any attempt to alter said facial imagewould deform the identification card.

11. An individual identification card according to claim 10 whereinadditional information is imposed on the other side of said plasticplate and a second transparent protective layer is laid down over saidadditional information and wherein such additional information and itstransparent protective cover is unified into an indivisible combinationwith the other elements of the card.

12. An individual identification card according to claim 10 wherein saidink is of a color, other than black.

13. An individual identification card according to claim 10 wherein saidplastic is vinyl.

14. An individual identification card comprising an opaque vinyl plasticplate,

a facial image and signature of an individual imposed photographicallywith photo-sensitive ink on said plate, said photo-sensitive ink beingof the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography andcontaining printing ink pigments,

information imposed on said plate identifying the type of identificationcard,

a transparent protective layer of vinyl plastic laid down over saidfacial image, signature and other identifying information,

said plate and identifying information imposed thereon and saidprotective layer forming a unified heat fused combination throughout theextent of 16. An identification card according to claim 14 whereinadditional individual identifying information in the form of invisibleelectronically-readable markings is imprinted on said support base.

17. An individual identification device comprising a first sheet ofplastic a second sheet of transparent plastic, and

an individual identifying image imposed photographically withphoto-sensitive ink on one of said sheets, said photo-sensitive inkbeing of the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography andwhich does not require normal photographic development,

said sheets of plastic being heat-fused into an indivisible combinationthroughout the extent of their contacting surfaces with said image beingdisposed therebetween, whereby any attempt to alter said image woulddeform the identification device. i

1. An individual identifying device comprising a support base, anindividual identifying image imposed photographically withphoto-sensitive ink on said support base, said photo-sensitive ink beingof the type adapted for producing proofs in photolithography and whichdoes not require normal photographic development of the image, and atransparent protective cover laid down over said image, said supportbase and said image imposed thereon and said transparent protectivecover being unified in the absence of adhesive and throughout the extentof their contacting surfaces into an indivisible combination, wherebyany attempt to alter said photographic image would deform theidentification device.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein saidsupport base is plastic.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein afacial image of an individual is imposed on said support base as anindividual identifying image.
 4. A device according to claim 1 whereinthe signature of an individual is imposed on said support base as anindividual identifying image.
 5. A device according to claim 1 whereininformation identifying the type of identification device is alsoimposed on said support base.
 6. A device according to claim 1 whereinsaid ink is of a color, other than black.
 7. An individualidentification card comprising a plastic plate, a facial image of anindividual imposed photographically with photo-sensitive ink on saidplastic plate, said photo-sensitive ink being of the type adapted forproducing proofs in photo-lithography and containing printing inkpigments, a transparent protective layer of plastic laid down over saidimage, said plastic plate and said facial image imposed thereon and saidtransparent protective layer of plastic being heat-fused throughout theextent of their contacting surfaces into an indivisible combination,whereby any attempt to alter said facial image would deform theidentification card.
 8. An identification card according to claim 7wherein the signature of the individual is also imposed photographicallywith photo-sensitive ink on said plastic plate.
 9. An individualidentification card according to claim 7 wherein said ink is of a color,other than black.
 10. An individual identification card comprising aplastic plate, a facial image of an individual imposed photographicallywith photo-sensitive ink on said plastic plate, said photo-sensitive inkbeing of the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography andcontaining printing ink pigments, information imposed on said plasticplate identifying the type of identification card, a transparentprotective layer of plastic laid down over said facial image andidentifying information, said plastic plate and the facial image andidentifying information imposed thereon and said transparent protectivelayer of plastic forming a unified heat fused combination throughout theextent of their contacting surfaces, whereby any attempt to alter saidfacial image would deform the identification card.
 11. An individualidentification card according to claim 10 wherein additional informationis imposed on the other side of said plastic plate and a secondtransparent protective layer is laid down over said additionalinformation and wherein such additional information and its transparentprotective cover is unified into an indivisible combination with theother elements of the card.
 12. An individual identification cardaccording to claim 10 wherein said ink is of a color, other than black.13. An individual identification card according to claim 10 wherein saidplastic is vinyl.
 14. An individual identification card comprising anopaque vinyl plastic plate, a facial image and signature of anindividual imposed photographically with photo-sensitive ink on saidplate, said photo-sensitive ink being of the type adapted for producingproofs in photo-lithography and containing printing ink pigments,information imposed on said plate identifying the type of identificationcard, a transparent protective layer of vinyl plastic laid down oversaid facial image, signature and other identifying information, saidplate and identifying information imposed thereon and said protectivelayer forming a unified heat fused combination throughout the extent oftheir contacting surfaces whereby any attempt to alter said facial imageor signature would deform the identification card.
 15. An individualidentification card according to claim 14 wherein additional informationis imposed on the other side of said plastic plate and a secondtransparent protective layer is laid down over said additionalinformation and wherein such additional information and its transparentprotective cover is unified into an indivisible combination with theother elements of the card.
 16. An identification card according toclaim 14 wherein additional individual identifying information in theform of invisible electronically-readable markings is imprinted on saidsupport base.
 17. An individual identification device comprising a firstsheet of plastic a second sheet of transparent plastic, and anindividual identifying image imposed photographically withphoto-sensitive ink on one of said sheets, said photo-sensitive inkbeing of the type adapted for producing proofs in photo-lithography andwhich does not require normal photographic development, said sheets ofplastic being heat-fused into an indivisible combination throughout theextent of their contacting surfaces with said image being disposedtherebetween, whereby any attempt to alter said image would deform theidentification device.